Music can be an incredibly positive influence that sets kids on a constructive path, and David Moss is highly aware of this. As cofounder of the Watts Conservatory of Music, he\u2019s on a quest to use the sonic arts as a conduit toward bettering the future.<\/p>\n
His journey began with another nonprofit, the Harold Robinson Foundation. Moss\u2019 family owns an overnight summer camp situated in the Angeles National Forest deep in the mountains of northern L.A. Because it caters to affluent kids, he created the org so that those less fortunate would also have a chance to enjoy the great outdoors. His search for underserved youth took him to Watts, CA, one of the country\u2019s most impoverished areas and infamous for its gang violence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For those living in Watts, home addresses determine gang affiliation. To even go for a casual stroll a few streets away can mean risking your life. Explains Moss, \u201cWe had kids who had never been two blocks from their house or school.\u201d Much of the conflict that was present in their everyday lives disappeared during the time they spent immersed in camp activities. \u201cIt was overwhelming how monumental it was for everyone,\u201d the WCM chairperson reports.<\/p>\n
But music was Moss\u2019 true passion. Having attended high school with Norwood Fisher, founding member and former bass player for underground legends Fishbone, he\u2019s a friend to some of the world\u2019s most legendary musicians. Fisher, Moss, and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers were hanging out one day when they dreamed up the idea of a youth conservatory in Watts. They piloted the program at Markham Middle School where Moss had built his own nonprofit summer camp. There, they taught 50 students per season how to play, culminating in a live performance.<\/p>\n
After three years in existence, COVID hit and everything shut down. The search began for a permanent location. Red tape and other factors prevented them from continuing the mission. After numerous starts and stops, they approached Verbum Dei Jesuit High School. It\u2019s located in gang-neutral territory smack dab in the center of Watts, making it the ideal spot. The high school\u2019s principal and president of the board immediately got the vision and handed over the keys to a few classrooms.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Although Flea no longer works with the school, Fisher remains closely involved with the institution. Drummer Stephen Perkins of Jane\u2019s Addiction is a board member, as is Becki Barabas, who works for speaker manufacturer JBL. Fernando Pullum, the brains behind the eponymous Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center, is one of the teachers. All the pieces had finally come together.<\/p>\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThe school officially opened in June of last year. Enrollees are between five and 17 years old. Adults are welcome to attend, though they haven\u2019t had any such pupils to date. WCM currently offers instruction in bass, guitar, drums, and keyboards, though there are plans to expand. Lessons take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 4 and 7 p.m., with each session lasting approximately 45 minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While group lessons are most common, everything remains flexible. Private instruction remains a possibility depending on who shows up. Occasionally, the teachers revert back to focusing on music appreciation. \u201cWe\u2019re finding that a lot of these kids aren\u2019t super familiar with music,\u201d discloses Moss. \u201cThey know, like, two songs. So we\u2019ll put on Sly and the Family Stone or Parliamentfunkadelic or Jimi Hendrix.\u201d They\u2019ll tell the students to pay attention to the parts that match their chosen instruments. Children may be asked to follow the beat and raise their hands on the \u201cone.\u201d\u00a0 Says Moss, \u201cWe\u2019re focusing on teamwork and how important timing is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Plans exist to create lessons for the under-five demographic, which will likely concentrate on rhythmic clapping and drumming. Little ones lack the size, strength, and cognitive development to play most instruments but love foot stomping. \u201cWe have a great teacher named Louis Oliart,\u201d praises Moss. In addition to being an instructor, he\u2019s a professional singer and guitarist who has been entertaining terminally ill children for 22 years. Continues Moss, \u201cHe\u2019s incredible with the kids.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
In most cases, the instruments stay put, though exceptions are made. Moss tells the tale of one shy learner he let take away a bass, provided he brought it back. \u201cIt is absolutely our goal to let kids take instruments home,\u201d Moss declares. \u201cBut we\u2019re not quite there yet.\u201d They\u2019ve had many donations not just from individuals but also manufacturers including Fender, Schecter, and DW. Moss is particularly thankful for the guitars, basses, and amps that The Guitar Center Foundation has gifted. The dream of letting every young scholar go home with an instrument may soon be a reality.<\/p>\n
The school is accepting of everyone regardless of gender identity, race, or ethnicity. There are even accommodations toward students who exist on the autism spectrum. Moss talks about one such attendee who has been greatly impacted by WCM\u2019s teachings. \u201cHe couldn\u2019t count and play at the same time,\u201d recalls Moss. \u201cSo we got him to stop counting. We said, \u2018Just feel it.\u2019 Three or four weeks in, he\u2019s going, \u2018One, two, three, four\u2026\u2019 I\u2019m like, \u2018Dude, you\u2019re counting and playing.\u2019 His face lit up. \u2018Yeah, I am.\u2019 \u2018You just had a breakthrough.\u2019 \u2018Yeah, I had a breakthrough.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n